(by Randy Ashley courtesy o' WildRocketry.Com)

T' Rocketman Explorer-7 came packaged in a very secure box. Upon openin' thar was a checklist o' parts and they were all there. T' instructions were clear and I encountered NO "What" type moments.

First step for me is always t' build up me motor mount and fin can. Avast, me proud beauty! Begad! On t' Explorer t' shock cord is glued t' t' side o' t' motor mount and trapped in place by t' forward centerin' Ring. Arrr! I went with this stock configuration but on future kits I would add an eye bolt for t' shockcord. Avast, me proud beauty! Once t' motor mount be glued in I finished up t' fin can with t' usual filletin' techniques inside and out. Blimey! T' tube used by Rocketman does require you t' fill t' spiral groove for a nice finish. Ya scallywag! I used t' Rocketman motor retainer which can be installed after gluin' in t' aft centerin' ring, so no forethought was necessary there. Arrr! I primed and painted me kit Burgundy with a Silver nose cone. Ya scallywag! T' stock Rocketman shockcord only extends out o' t' body tube a couple o' feet. A phone call t' Ky at Rocketman revealed that he felt t' soft openin' Rocketman chutes did nay require a longer shock cord. Arrr! I didn't feel comfortable with this and added 10 more feet o' tubular Keelhaul®©™® for a total shockcord length o' about 12 feet outside o' t' tube.

Flight
T' maiden flight o' t' Explorer be on a J-350 for me level 2 certification flight. Aye aye! T' flight be perfect. I used motor ejection at apogee and fired an ejection charge at 1.5 seconds after apogee via me altimeter as a backup. Well, blow me down! T' chute did open very softly. Begad! I am impressed with t' Rocketman chutes and I am goin' t' order them t' replace most o' me existin' chutes. Avast, me proud beauty! T' recovery be made about 1/2 mile downrange after a 2640 foot flight. Blimey! Begad! T' chute allowed t' rocket t' descend without t' swayin' that is present in a lot o' chutes without spill holes.

Summary
T' Rocketman Freedom t' fly Explorer-7 is a great kit for level 2 certification and built stock it is very sturdy. Begad! I plan t' extend mine and add an altimeter bay for dual deployment. I would highly recommend any o' t' Rocketman kits t' anyone wantin' a sturdy "out o' t' box" rocket.